Fun and Drama

A week ago Saturday we went to the parade of a neighboring suburb. For a while it was ridiculously cold for June, but then it warmed up. The youngest had been invited to walk with our neighbor's church group and hand out candy. I wasn't sure if she'd like it or think it was too much work. She liked it and had a great time!

That evening we saw the local theater production of The Music Man. It was really good! There is always at least one person we know in it. It is pleasant to be outside. Our latest treat is to bring a mixture of white, cheese and caramel corn to munch on while we watch.

Here is the gang on Father's Day. We didn't do anything too exciting. Hubby got some new shirts. He also received a bag of Hershey's miniatures, a golf ball, and a metal sign with a picture of Mr. Incredible on it. Dinner was at Perkins.

The youngest was in a dance camp ending with a performance of Peter Pan. She got to have a leading role as John Darling when one of the other girls didn't want to be John. She had to learn about 30+ lines and she did one dance-Following the Leader. It was adorable and she did great!

On Friday night we went to see the older two in Aladdin. Practice started in May for about two hours a week and then this past week there were rehearsals every day from 9-5. It is still amazing that so much can be memorized--lines and dances in such a short time. The weather was rather stormy and sirens went off due to the thunderstorms, but the show went on and it was fabulous! The costumes were a combination of some from a school that had performed Aladdin together with a few purchases. They were really nice.

On Saturday morning while sitting at the computer, I looked out the window and saw this guy. Do you see him?

He was circling around the small fence and plants waiting for a rabbit to make a run for it. That eventually happened. We didn't see the end result since that was in the next yard over. We've never seen a fox in our neighborhood before.

There has been a lot of card playing going on since the older two did a lot of that during downtime at their drama camp this past week. Of course, there have also been a few squabbles and accusations of cheating--SIGH!

The second and final performance of Aladdin was on Saturday afternoon. There was a pretty good turnout considering the U.S. was playing in the Worldcup at the same time.

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This coming week should be pretty quiet although tomorrow we plan to visit the place that will be taking all of our money come fall--college!

Our Week

Our first full week with no school started with the dance rehearsals and recitals. The girls have all been dancing since they were preschoolers. Everything went very well. This was the last year for the eldest so she had a biography included in the program.

The weather was so rainy until Wednesday. Middle daughter and I worked on this 1,000 piece puzzle. I get addicted and can't leave an ongoing puzzle alone!

On Friday we went to a local zoo. This little guy was hanging around.

Sorry for the dark picture. It was so funny that this ape and another had clothing that they would put on and take off!

I love seeing penguins. These were entertaining.

A sea lion show has been going on for years. (Not continuously ; )

Time for a neck rub for this long legged guy.

In the summer there is a butterfly tent. I wish I had been able to get a picture of the big butterfly with its wings open as they are a pretty shade of blue. I could live on a butterfly's diet in the summer.

I thought this would be a pretty picture. I can't see well enough when taking pictures to notice everyone's expression. When we had a discussion later, I was told the youngest was bored so apparently the look you are seeing on the shortest daughter is "I am bored."

We did a little better in the lovely Japanese sunken garden. I had never seen it before.

I wish I had one out my back door. A volunteer told us everything was very deliberately placed.

This was in the conservatory.

It was a fun outing ending with a stop at the Dairy Queen.

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We had a good food week. I don't have pictures, but we had some yummy pull-apart rolls made by middle daughter and today we had homemade cream cheese puffs.

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This coming week will not be quite so relaxing as we have a lot of drama coming up. Literally. The oldest two have a musical camp at church and the youngest will be performing in Peter Pan.

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Happy Father's Day to any dad who happens to read this! Enjoy the day!

Graduation

This beautiful young woman graduated on Friday and we are so proud of her.

We were able to get a few extra tickets to the indoor ceremony so grandpa came as well as Uncle Glenn, Mark and Joyce.

There were 210 graduates. I wonder what she was thinking.

After a prayer from Mr. J and short speeches from the three female valedictorians, the principal handed out the diplomas.

It was a tradition for the female graduates of one of the schools that merged many years ago to form the current school to carry daisies.

Little sis gets in the act.

After the ceremony the graduates went off to a fun all night party. Activities included bowling, bingo, face painting/tattoos and a hypnotist and more. Prizes included gift cards and each grad got a nice duffle bag, blanket and picture frame with the school colors/logo. After sleeping until almost 2:00, it was time to get ready for a small family/close friend party. We had a simple meal including a fruit salad, lettuce salad, and fabulous bread and pasta. The bread and pasta were from a local restaurant. We topped things off with cake and ice cream.

I thought I would be crying at the ceremony, but other than my eyes welling up a few times I didn't. I have a feeling those unshed tears will be coming in August when we take her to college.

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Here are the words to a Bob Dylan song that was sung at the baccalaureate mass:

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Forever Young

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May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

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May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

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May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

Ok, this song makes me cry. Two more graduations to go in the coming years. But first, it is time to enjoy the summer.

Long Weekend

We had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. Lots of time was spent outside. Saturday we got the garden planted with something other than helicopter seeds! We have tomatoes, beans, peas, sunflowers, and brussel sprouts. Everything but the tomatoes and brussel sprouts were from last year's seeds. I want to see if it is necessary to buy new ones each year. I'll let you know. The youngest wanted the brussel sprouts since her friend's mom plants them. They are interesting because the leaves are not all green. Some of them are brownish.

On Sunday we went on our traditional picnic. We had our traditional food:

• Chicken salad sandwiches


• Grapes


• Deviled eggs


• Chips


• Caramel brownies
  
  
  After lunch, we played some yard games. Many years ago I bought the red bag on the table at Target. It came with some fun games such as the one where you play catch using velcro paddles and a fuzzy ball. We also brought along tailgate golf. Here I am showing off since I got balls on each rung which meant I earned 10 points. Whoo-hoo! After our picnic we brought flowers to the cemetery.
  Our weekend movie was this one which was recommended by a Facebook friend. It was cute and had some good messages. I really liked how the brother and sister were portrayed as getting along.
  On Memorial Day itself we went to the zoo. We honestly did look at the animals although in looking at these pictures it appears that we spent most of our time taking pictures with statues or cutouts. It was so funny to see this monkey (can't remember the official name) sprawled out. Relaxation at its best!
  

We have so much fun watching the bears. This one ate a fish while we looked on.

Another favorite is the prairie dog exhibit.

Mama and baby.

This little piggie was a week old.

It was a beautiful day--not too hot or cold. Since we're zoo members again, we'll go back many times I hope.